MLB Player News

Munoz (foot) pitched in a B game against the Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex's back fields Thursday as planned, but he's yet to make his Cactus League debut.

Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports Munoz threw 18 pitches and had his fastball sitting at 97-98 mph during his outing against San Diego. However, Munoz also conceded he has some adjustments to make, noting he was "thinking too much about the pitch clock", which caused him to rush his delivery a bit. Most important, there were no reported setbacks with Munoz's surgically repaired ankle, and his next opportunity to make his official Cactus League debut comes Sunday in split-squad action against either the Rangers or White Sox.

Trivino (elbow) began throwing again Monday, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

Trivino suffered a right elbow ligament strain early in spring and will begin the season on the injured list. Though he's started throwing again, the right-handed reliever is expected to be out until at least late April.

Doval has allowed one run over three appearances so far in his Cactus League appearances.

Doval has allowed four hits without issuing a walk, and has picked up four strikeouts. The right-hander is expected to serve as the closer for the Giants in 2023, and while there have been some hiccups in his short professional career, his stuff suggests he has the potential to be one of the best relievers in baseball.

Hader has yet to give up a run in his three innings of work in the Cactus League.

The left-hander has had some command issues in Arizona with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch, but he's also allowed just two hits with a pair of strikeouts. Hader had the most ups-and-downs of his career in 2022 with a 5.22 ERA between the Brewers and the Padres, but the stuff is still elite, and he should have plenty of save chances for the Padres in 2023.

Wantz remains the favorite for the final bullpen spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

There are seven relievers -- Carlos Estevez, Jimmy Herget, Jaime Barria, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Jose Quijada and Matt Moore -- who are seen as locks to break camp with the club, potentially leaving just one more bullpen spot available. Wantz appears to be the favorite for the opening, and he hasn't done anything to hurt his chances this spring, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings during which he's allowed three hits and posted a 4:2 K:BB. The biggest threat to Wantz's opportunity could be hard-throwing youngster Ben Joyce, who has opened eyes with a strong spring and a fastball that has reached 104 mph. While Joyce is the flashier pitcher, he's not currently on the 40-man roster and has yet to pitch above the Double-A level, while Wantz has two big-league seasons under his belt and was effective for the Angels in 2022, posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 50.1 innings while picking up eight holds.

Joyce's final pitch in Friday's Cactus League appearance against Kansas City clocked in at 104 mph, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Joyce was the 89th pick in last year's first-year player draft and was clocked as high as 105 mph with his fastball while with Tennessee. The right-hander has turned heads not only with his velocity this spring, but also with his results, as he's pitched five scoreless innings during which he has allowed just two hits while striking out six batters. About the only knock on his work thus far has been his control -- he's walked four batters in the five frames. Joyce wasn't initially expected to vie for a role on the Opening Day roster, but given his performance thus far, he's in contention to do so, per Bollinger.

Herget could begin the season as the Angels' closer with offseason signee Carlos Estevez struggling in Cactus League play, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Estevez signed with the Angels in December and was tabbed as the team's potential closer by general manager Perry Minasian early in camp, but the veteran reliever has struggled with a 19.64 ERA and 10 walks over 3.2 innings this spring. Estevez and the Angels have indicated a lack of concern about his Cactus League struggles, but if the team ultimately decides to go in a different direction for ninth-inning work to start the season, Herget would be the logical choice to assume the role. The right-hander was effective as part of a closer committee after Raisel Iglesias was traded last season, tallying eight saves, a 1.10 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP over 32.2 innings. However, Herget hadn't saved any MLB games prior to 2022, so his sample size of success as a closer is relatively small.

Fairbanks has not given up a run in his two Grapefruit League appearances.

Fairbanks has allowed just one hit so far in his two games, and he's struck out two while not issuing a walk, although he did put a runner on via a hit-by-pitch. The right-hander signed a three-year extension with the Rays in January after registering a 1.13 ERA and 38:3 K:BB over 24 innings, and he has a chance to see a good share of the save opportunities for Tampa Bay during the 2023 season.

Duran has thrown five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and two walks this spring. He reached 101.1 mph with his fastball in his last outing Thursday.

Duran has already been in mid-season form with his velocity and looks ready for the regular season. He'll be a primary weapon in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't tipped his hand about his plan for the closer role this spring. While Duran may be the best reliever, Baldelli usually runs his bullpen with disregard to the save statistic. Duran may be used in high-leverage matchups with Jorge Lopez pitching the ninth inning, for example. However, Duran's elite velocity and prior success are traits that could lead Baldelli to break with tradition and use him as the primary closer if he opts to abandon the committee approach.

Otto was scratched from Saturday's scheduled start in the Cactus League with right lat tightness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

With Otto out, the Rangers will have Chase Lee start in the right-hander's place. Otto will likely need to undergo testing to make sure there's no structural damage. There should be an update on his status in the coming days.